Need your expert opinions...

xsb00st · 12-08-2008, 03:22 PM

So, after repeatedly telling myself not to get into it, I've decided to purchase an SLR and dabble in amateur photography. Being ignorant about photography, I have no idea where to start and what camera to purchase. I think I've narrowed it down to 2: biggest factor in my selection was price. Could ya'll take a look at these two choices and tell me which one you would purchase.

Nikon D40 Black 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Extra Lens

or

Canon 2762B003 Black EOS Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Extra Lens

Thanks for your help with this!

madman · 12-08-2008, 03:27 PM

I can think of cheaper cars to buy just to photograph.

A Mercedes Mclaren SLR is a VERY expensive car. Why not just photograph your existing car?

Just kiddin.

Teshi · 12-08-2008, 03:38 PM

I would go for the Canon vs the Nikon D40.

Main reason, better ISO handling overall.

xsb00st · 12-08-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teshi

I would go for the Canon vs the Nikon D40.

Main reason, better ISO handling overall.

Thanks Teshi! Again out of sheer ignorance, what is ISO and why is it important?

xsb00st · 12-08-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madman

I can think of cheaper cars to buy just to photograph.

A Mercedes Mclaren SLR is a VERY expensive car. Why not just photograph your existing car?

Just kiddin.

Haha, it took me a minute to figure out your post. I'm going to purchase an SLR camera, not the SLR car... someday.

Teshi · 12-08-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs*****

Thanks Teshi! Again out of sheer ignorance, what is ISO and why is it important?

ISO is the cameras sensitivity. Higher ISO yields faster shutter speeds or helps keep a good shutter speed when you are without your tripod or in low light conditions.

The downside about high ISO is the amount of "noise" or grain it produces.

Most cameras have ISO ranges as below

-100
-200
-400
-800
-1600

More high end bodies go up to ISO3200, 6400+

Heres one - Noise test, D2H vs D3 @ ISO6400
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/...bcc811cc7b.jpg

Thats a lot of noise but then again, thats REAL sensitive so when it counts its good to have it there. Now up until recently, Nikon have lagged behind on this side of their sensors so previous bodies such as the D40/D60/D80 really did not match up to Canon's sensors in terms of how well it kept higher ISO's clean.

Now their bodies are just as good but I suppose its all preferences to be honest.

UdubBadger · 12-09-2008, 01:05 AM

im a canon guy so that'd be my 1st choice... however i borrowed a d40 a few weeks back and it wasn't too bad. i think for the "green" to photography the canon will be easier to learn how to use and operate. I've been taking pictures for 5 years now and I STILL HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO ADJUST THE APERTURE ON A NIKON and I shot with the d40 for 2 hrs!

asdflkijd · 12-09-2008, 01:15 AM

read this before pulling the trigger http://www.iwsti.com/forums/pictures...otography.html
as far as the camera, I love Canons, especially the Xt/ Xti's, they are a great value for the money.

I had an Xti as my first dslr and then I sold it to get a Xsi or a Nikon D60, but I ended up getting another Xti instead.. In the process, I checked out the Nikon D60, compared it to an Xsi and also the Sony a300. I Liked the D60 but it was too small and didnt really feel good in my hands. To be honest, the Nikon did feel a little more rugged than the Xsi (maybe it was because of the finish). I did not find the Sony s200 to be that great and didn't like how the IS was inside the camera body instead of the lens.. (some may not agree but I found this could be an issue in the long run if the IS crapped out, youd need a whole new camera, where as for the Nikon and Canon, you can just replace the lens... this only applies to beginner and moderate level lenses, for they are about the same price as the camera, and you can probably find it for cheaper used on craigslist or something). Anyways, I ended up narrowing it down the the D60 and the Xsi, but like i mentioned earlier, I made up my mind to get the Xsi because the D60 felt too tiny.. (thats how close those too were, although I am still a beginner photographer, and I may not be able to tell all of the difference between the two, I can tell which one feels better in my hands, and that is really important that you are comfortable when your shooting, esp if you are out walking around with it in your hand for hours.. That being said, I researched some more on the Xsi and its differences between the Xti, and just decided to save the extra cash and get another Xti. Then after about a month or so, I came across a really good deal and was able to get a 40D, and I can't emphasize how important
it is (to me at least) to have a camera that feels good in your hands.

fyi, I have one for sale if you are interested.

UdubBadger · 12-09-2008, 01:19 AM

nice shameless plug...

Razzy · 12-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs*****

Haha, it took me a minute to figure out your post. I'm going to purchase an SLR camera, not the SLR car... someday.

LOL i thought the same. i was gonna say.....buying an SLR to photograph it sound soo spoiled.

The_Blob · 12-09-2008, 07:45 PM

Canon has superior performance over the Nikon. The lenses that comes with both of the cameras are below average. I would buy the camera without the lenses.

xsb00st · 12-09-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Blob

Canon has superior performance over the Nikon. The lenses that comes with both of the cameras are below average. I would buy the camera without the lenses.

You bring up a good point, now what differentiates a good lens from a bad one?

asdflkijd · 12-09-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs*****

You bring up a good point, now what differentiates a good lens from a bad one?

sharper image is one.

asian010 · 12-09-2008, 09:10 PM

get the canon xs. the d40 is kinda out of date now. its just a cheap starter dslr. the canon xs is a good starter dslr for the long run. i just went a step higher and got the xsi. =]

BMWE90 · 12-09-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs*****

You bring up a good point, now what differentiates a good lens from a bad one?

A couple of things: better build quality, sharper images, better colors/contrast/etc., quicker & more silent focusing, and retains value very well.

asdflkijd · 12-09-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWE90

A couple of things: better build quality, sharper images, better colors/contrast/etc., quicker & more silent focusing, and retains value very well.

+1 a loud focus ring is annoying as hell

xsb00st · 12-11-2008, 09:24 AM

Thanks for your help everyone. I went ahead and purchased the Canon camera. Here are a couple attempts at HDR images that I tried to shoot yesterday.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192446

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192550

EZ_TUR90 · 12-21-2008, 09:46 PM

What your buying a SLR! WOW! jk good luck with the cam, not a camry.

12-08-2008, 03:22 PM	#1
xsb00st Lieutenant Colonel 187 Rep 1,644 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (21)	Need your expert opinions... So, after repeatedly telling myself not to get into it, I've decided to purchase an SLR and dabble in amateur photography. Being ignorant about photography, I have no idea where to start and what camera to purchase. I think I've narrowed it down to 2: biggest factor in my selection was price. Could ya'll take a look at these two choices and tell me which one you would purchase. Nikon D40 Black 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Extra Lens or Canon 2762B003 Black EOS Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Extra Lens Thanks for your help with this!
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12-08-2008, 03:27 PM	#2
madman Major 120 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I can think of cheaper cars to buy just to photograph. A Mercedes Mclaren SLR is a VERY expensive car. Why not just photograph your existing car? Just kiddin. __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
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12-08-2008, 03:38 PM	#3
Teshi First Lieutenant 157 Rep 346 Posts Drives: Blue/Usually full of camera ge Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Harrow - London iTrader: (0)	I would go for the Canon vs the Nikon D40. Main reason, better ISO handling overall.
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12-09-2008, 01:05 AM	#7
UdubBadger Banned 664 Rep 24,685 Posts Drives: '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [9.50] 2011 135i [7.46] 2008 328xi [8.76]	im a canon guy so that'd be my 1st choice... however i borrowed a d40 a few weeks back and it wasn't too bad. i think for the "green" to photography the canon will be easier to learn how to use and operate. I've been taking pictures for 5 years now and I STILL HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO ADJUST THE APERTURE ON A NIKON and I shot with the d40 for 2 hrs!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2008, 01:15 AM	#8
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 591 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	read this before pulling the trigger http://www.iwsti.com/forums/pictures...otography.html as far as the camera, I love Canons, especially the Xt/ Xti's, they are a great value for the money. I had an Xti as my first dslr and then I sold it to get a Xsi or a Nikon D60, but I ended up getting another Xti instead.. In the process, I checked out the Nikon D60, compared it to an Xsi and also the Sony a300. I Liked the D60 but it was too small and didnt really feel good in my hands. To be honest, the Nikon did feel a little more rugged than the Xsi (maybe it was because of the finish). I did not find the Sony s200 to be that great and didn't like how the IS was inside the camera body instead of the lens.. (some may not agree but I found this could be an issue in the long run if the IS crapped out, youd need a whole new camera, where as for the Nikon and Canon, you can just replace the lens... this only applies to beginner and moderate level lenses, for they are about the same price as the camera, and you can probably find it for cheaper used on craigslist or something). Anyways, I ended up narrowing it down the the D60 and the Xsi, but like i mentioned earlier, I made up my mind to get the Xsi because the D60 felt too tiny.. (thats how close those too were, although I am still a beginner photographer, and I may not be able to tell all of the difference between the two, I can tell which one feels better in my hands, and that is really important that you are comfortable when your shooting, esp if you are out walking around with it in your hand for hours.. That being said, I researched some more on the Xsi and its differences between the Xti, and just decided to save the extra cash and get another Xti. Then after about a month or so, I came across a really good deal and was able to get a 40D, and I can't emphasize how important it is (to me at least) to have a camera that feels good in your hands. fyi, I have one for sale if you are interested. Last edited by asdflkijd; 12-09-2008 at 01:43 AM..
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12-09-2008, 01:19 AM	#9
UdubBadger Banned 664 Rep 24,685 Posts Drives: '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [9.50] 2011 135i [7.46] 2008 328xi [8.76]	nice shameless plug...
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12-09-2008, 07:45 PM	#11
The_Blob Second Lieutenant 512 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Canon has superior performance over the Nikon. The lenses that comes with both of the cameras are below average. I would buy the camera without the lenses.
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12-09-2008, 09:10 PM	#14
asian010 Brigadier General 130 Rep 3,236 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: bay area iTrader: (6)	get the canon xs. the d40 is kinda out of date now. its just a cheap starter dslr. the canon xs is a good starter dslr for the long run. i just went a step higher and got the xsi. =]
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12-11-2008, 09:24 AM	#17
xsb00st Lieutenant Colonel 187 Rep 1,644 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (21)	Thanks for your help everyone. I went ahead and purchased the Canon camera. Here are a couple attempts at HDR images that I tried to shoot yesterday. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192446 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192550
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12-21-2008, 09:46 PM	#18
EZ_TUR90 Ez tur90 202 Rep 3,193 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (11)	What your buying a SLR! WOW! jk good luck with the cam, not a camry. __________________
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